History is not bound to be so reserved and so modest as the king was about himself.  It was not only as able captain and valiant soldier that Henry iv. distinguished himself at Ivry; there the man was as conspicuous for the strength of his better feelings, as generous and as affectionate as the king was farsighted and bold.  When the word was given to march from Dreux, Count Schomberg, colonel of the German auxiliaries called reiters, had asked for the pay of his troops, letting it be understood that they would not fight if their claims were not satisfied.  Henry had replied harshly, “People don’t ask for money on the eve of a battle.”  At Ivry, just as the battle was on the point of beginning, he went up to Schomberg.  “Colonel,” said he, “I hurt your feelings.  This may be the last day of my life.  I can’t bear to take away the honor of a brave and honest gentleman like you.  Pray forgive me and embrace me.”  “Sir,” answered Schomberg, “the other day your Majesty wounded me, to-day you kill me.”  He gave up the command of the reiters in order to fight in the king’s own squadron, and was killed in action.  As he passed along the front of his own squadron, Henry halted; and, “Comrades,” said he, “if you run my risks, I also run yours.  I will conquer or die with you.  Keep your ranks well, I beg.  If the heat of battle disperse you for a while, rally as soon as you can under those three pear trees you see up yonder to my right; and if you lose your standards, do not lose sight of my white plume; you will always find it in the path of honor, and, I hope, of victory too.”

[Illustration:  “Do not lose Sight of my White Plume.”——­30]

Having galloped along the whole line of his army, he halted again, threw his horse’s reins over his arm, and clasped his hands, exclaiming, “O God, Thou knowest my thoughts, and Thou dost see to the very bottom of my heart; if it be for my people’s good that I keep the crown, favor Thou my cause and uphold my arms.  But if Thy holy will have otherwise ordained, at least let me die, O God, in the midst of these brave soldiers who give their lives for me!” When the battle was over and won, he heard that Rosny had been severely wounded in it; and when he was removed to Rosny Castle, the king, going close up to his stretcher, said, “My friend, I am very glad to see you with a much better countenance than I expected; I should feel still greater joy if you assure me that you run no risk of your life or of being disabled forever; the rumor was, that you had two horses killed under you; that you had been borne to earth, rolled over and trampled upon by the horses of several squadrons, bruised and cut up by so many blows that it would be a marvel if you escaped, or if, at the very least, you were not mutilated for life in some limb.  I should like to hug you with both arms.  I shall never have any good fortune or increase of greatness but you shall share it.  Fearing that too much talking may be harmful to your wounds, I am off again to Mantes.  Adieu, my friend; fare you well, and be assured that you have a good master.”